N. Costco Dr. construction between Home Depot and Naughtons to resume Sept. 13

Construction in the roadway is scheduled to take place beginning Tuesday, September 13, with a 9:00 pm lane closure in front of 3936 N. Costco Dr. between Home Depot and Naughtons. When work is completed, trench plates will be placed and road will be open to restricted traffic by 6:00 am Wednesday morning, September 14. On September 15 and September 16, starting each day at 9:00 am, this same location will again be closed for the next stage of roadwork. Trench plates will be removed as we complete each lane and open to traffic each day at 4:00pm.

Temporary striping will take place at night and moratorium mill and fill to be scheduled at a later date.

For your safety and that of the contractor’s personnel, please comply with all traffic control devices, flagging personnel, and/or detour signs. Travel time through the project area may increase during construction so please adjust your schedule accordingly. Construction may restrict traffic lanes and create congestion. Taking alternate routes is suggested.

If inclement weather or other events cause delays, the work may be rescheduled without further notice.

Stay up-to-date on Town of Marana news, projects, and events. Visit MaranaAZ.gov, like us on Facebook, and follow us on twitter.

Town of Marana Welcomes Tourism and Marketing Manager Laura Cortelyou

Across Arizona, the state is starting to see the annual uptick in tourism that comes with cooler fall temperatures. To greet this growing demand, Marana is welcoming Laura Cortelyou as the Town’s new Tourism and Marketing Manager. In this role, Laura will oversee Marana’s efforts to position itself as the premier destination in Southern Arizona for visitors seeking all kinds of adventures.

Laura joins the Town of Marana from the Tucson Museum of Art, where she was Director of Marketing and Public Relations. She holds a master's degree from Fielding Graduate University in Human and Organizational Development and a bachelor’s degree from UC Santa Barbara in the History of Art and Architecture. Previously, she directed marketing for Forester Media, Inc., a publisher of civil and environmental engineering journals, and ABC-CLIO, an academic history publisher. She is currently the president of the Southern Arizona Attractions Alliance and a board member of Visit Tucson.

“Marana is a place with so much going on, and I’m incredibly excited to share this vibrant community with a wider audience,” says Laura about her recent appointment.

Last year, Marana launched www.DiscoverMarana.org, an artfully designed website that allows visitors to learn more about the Gateway to Southern Arizona. Since then, the site has welcomed thousands of visitors and even won the 2016 Governor’s Tourism Award for Interactive Technology.  

In addition to this new web presence, Marana’s tourism efforts include advertising in publications across Arizona and northern Mexico, a partnership with Perimeter Cycling to host a segment of El Tour de Tucson in Marana, and collaboration with local hotels and retail centers to produce joint promotional materials. This work all contributes to Marana’s efforts to stimulate an active, dynamic local economy.

“Our goal is to promote our beautiful corner of the Sonoran Desert,” explains Laura. “Fortunately, Marana has so much to offer that our focus is about of all of the great amenities we have.”

Marana Water News: Imagine a Day Without Water - September 15, 2016

September 15, 2016 is Imagine a Day Without Water. This national campaign is intended to highlight the importance of access to clean water through investment in reliable infrastructure to bring water to homes and businesses. As you can imagine, water is vital to all aspects of our lives. From a daily coffee or tea to water required in manufacturing and energy production, a day without water would prove difficult for most of us. Marana Water joins, the City of Avondale, the Central Arizona Project, Community Water Company, the Town of Gilbert, Pima County Water Reclamation, the City of Mesa, Tucson Water, and the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association participating in the campaign in Arizona. There are many more water providers and other entities participating around the country.

Marana Town Council issues a proclamation of support for Imagine a Day Without Water on September 6, 2016

When working with our staff on how to best promote this campaign, there were plenty of ideas tossed around. We discussed several options to limit water use for the day, including forgoing morning coffee. At the end of the day, we did not want our level of service to suffer due to lack of caffeine or have our staff not properly hydrated, showing us how vital water is to our everyday lives. This national campaign works to bring these issues forward and remind us all of how important ready access to water is. The lack of water affects not just small things in our lives, but also would halt all firefighting capabilities, agriculture work, and hospital functions. Water connects us all in so many ways.

An ongoing joke among water providers is that we bury our best work. Water professionals put water and sewer lines in the ground, bury them, and then work diligently to maintain them. These lines are intended to last until well after they were installed, and materials are used to best meet this goal. However, there are many areas around the county where this infrastructure is dramatically aged and in desperate need of repair or replacement to avoid a disastrous loss of water. American Water, a water provider across the county, created a video about the importance of maintaining aging infrastructure. It gives a nice overview of the problems and some solutions out there.

Here at Marana Water our infrastructure is not as old as other cities, but the maintenance of these lines, tanks, and pumps is just as important. We work on keeping our system running as smoothly and efficiently as possible. Days like this one remind everyone how important this maintenance is to keep the level of service our customers have come to expect.

The ability to turn a faucet to get an unlimited amount of water at any time is one of the greatest values of water. Americans, on average, use about 64,240 gallons of water a year, and 39% of these users rely in groundwater like we do here in Southern Arizona. According to the World Health Organization, around the world 1 in 10 people lack access to safe water and 1 in 3 people lack access to a toilet. Imagine a Day Without Water also reminds us that there are plenty of instances where access to water and sewer facilities are nonexistent.

Could you imagine not brushing your teeth, doing laundry, or giving your pet their water bowl? We hope that our customers, and those reading this, take a few minutes to think about how you value water, and particularly on September 15. You can use the hashtag #ValueWater to be a part of the conversation this week on social media. Send us your stories at MaranaWater@maranaaz.gov.

Southwest Gas Removing Natural Gas Pipeline Facilities in Marana Neighborhoods

For the remainder of 2016, Southwest Gas will be removing certain natural gas pipeline facilities from service that exist at various sites across Marana.  This utility work will have no effect on service. 

Many of these sites are at homes located in Continental Ranch. Residents will also receive door hangers notifying them of this work 1-2 weeks before it is scheduled to occur. Please ensure access to your meter location is provided. Landscape or concrete disturbed during this process will be restored as close as possible to that which currently exists.

If you have any questions, please contact Project Coordinator Gregory Augenstein at (520) 289-1259. To speak with a representative from the Town of Marana regarding this work, please contact Daniel Silva at (520) 382-2682. Thank you for your patience as we work to expedite this activity.

Marana Honored with Two Savvy Awards at 3CMA Annual Conference

On Thursday night, the Town of Marana was honored by the City/County Communications and Marketing Association (3CMA) with two of its annual Savvy Awards. One award recognized the Town’s overall website, while the second lauded Marana’s citizen engagement efforts to solicit input on the design of the new Tangerine Sky Community Park.

The Savvy Awards, held in conjunction with 3CMA’s Annual Conference, recognize outstanding local government achievements in communications, public-sector marketing, and citizen-government relationships. The Savvies salute skilled and effective city, county, agency, or district professionals who have creatively planned and carried out successful innovations in communications and marketing. 3CMA accommodates local government organizations of all sizes and budget classes by judging entries in several different population groups.

In summer 2015, Marana rolled out its new website, adopting a sleek, modern design that allows for a more user-friendly experience. Using engaging graphics, an interface which is compatible with both mobile and desktop users, and informative content through the Marana Newsroom, the Town has capitalized on the potential to connect with citizens through the web.

The Town’s second Savvy award honors Marana’s efforts to learn what neighbors of a forthcoming park want to see at this new facility. Using a blended campaign of printed flyers sent through the mail and an online survey, Marana achieved a response rate considerably higher than previous efforts. A cornerstone of this campaign was a humorous postcard which announced that a “Dinosaur breeding facility coming to your neighborhood.” On the back of the post card, recipients then read, “Oh, that’s not what you want in your new community park? Tell us what you do want. Complete the park survey.”

This engaging approach to public engagement generated excited not only around the idea of filling out a survey, but about the park in general. Since the original postcard went out to residents, the Town has received numerous suggestions for the park. Soon, many of those suggestions will become reality when the park is completed this spring.

“When we think about communications and marketing in Marana, we always try to craft a message that’s specific to our target audience,” says Communications Manager Vickie Hathaway. “Sometimes that means we can be funny, while other times we try to strike a more serious tone. No matter what, though, we focus on delivering a straightforward, informative message.”

The 3CMA Annual Conference, at which the Savvy Awards are announced, provides Town staff with the opportunity to learn from jurisdictions across the country. The conference included sessions on emergency management and social media, gamification for citizen engagement, and community branding. Ideas garned from sessions like these will allow staff to design thoughtful and effective communications and marketing efforts throughout the year ahead.

Temporary closure of Crossroads Trail to begin September 11th

Crossroads Trail between the west side of the I-10 frontage road and Tangerine Farms Road will be closed to all traffic from 4 p.m. Sunday, 9/11/2016 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, 9/14/2016. The temporary closure is occurring in conjunction with the Town of Marana’s Tangerine/Downtown Sewer Conveyance System project. The project contractor, Kinkaid Civil Construction, will be installing a new sewer pipe across Crossroads Trail.

Tangerine Farms Road and Moore Road will be used as the detour route. Directional signs and traffic control devices will be set up to guide vehicles around the Crossroads Trail closure and along the detour route.

For your safety and that of the contractor’s personnel, please comply with all traffic control devices, flagging personnel, and/or detour signs. Travel time through the project area may increase during construction so please adjust your schedule accordingly. Construction may restrict traffic lanes and create congestion. Taking alternate routes is suggested.

If inclement weather or other events cause delays, the work may be rescheduled without further notice.

Stay up-to-date on Town of Marana news, projects, and events. Visit MaranaAZ.gov, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.

Talent call for Marana Holiday Festival & Christmas Tree Lighting

The Town of Marana is now accepting talent submissions for the Marana Holiday Festival & Christmas Tree Lighting. Local  groups will perform in front of thousands of people throughout the event, starting at 3 P.M., and concluding with southern Arizona's largest Christmas Tree light show at 7:30 P.M. 

Because interest from performers has exceeded the nine designated performance slots for the event, the Town of Marana will enter each group into a lottery. The final performance set list will have a variety of performance types, including dance, singing, and instruments. 

The Marana Holiday Festival & Christmas Tree Lighting kicks off the holiday season this year on December 3 and is one of Marana's most popular events. Attractions include Santa and Mrs. Claus, inflatables, arts and crafts, food, vendors, live performances, and more. Learn more about the event at www.MaranaEvents.com. 

40 Years of Stories

The Town of Marana celebrates 40 years of incorporation in 2017. In anticipation of this milestone, the Town is inviting residents, former residents, and business owners in the Marana community to share their life stories. Stories will be showcased throughout 2017 as a way of celebrating the people who make up the Marana community.

Stories can cover a range of topics, including any of the following (and more):

• A life-changing event
• A fun adventure you had
• A moment you learned something
• Your greatest accomplishment / A time you overcame a challenge
• What you hope for in your future
• What you love about your community
• A project you're working on
• What is most meaningful to you
• You greatest wish

Story submitters can anticipate that their stories will be shared on social media, on the Town’s website (www.MaranaAZ.gov), and in conjunction with events throughout the year. Some stories could be told through photos and videos, and submitters can anticipate being contacted by the Town for further collaboration.

Marana Water News: No water. No beer.

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Earlier this month, Marana Water participated in an application that was submitted to the Arizona Community Foundation’s Water Innovation Challenge. The challenge is to bring together a collaborative team in Arizona that can develop the most innovative and inventive market-based, technological, or entrepreneurial solution to advance the sustainability of water future. The winner receives an award of $250,000 to implement the submitted project.

Marana Water is participating in an application as a part of the Southwest Water Campus. The growing population and dependency on groundwater and Central Arizona Project (CAP) resources, makes the future of water reliability a bit vulnerable. Focusing on new uses for treated reclaimed water is being explored as one way to address water reliability. In this project, the members are building and touring a full scale, direct potable reuse pilot program. This pilot project will produce craft beer throughout the state culminating in a Brew Competition at the 32nd Annual WateReuse Symposium held in Phoenix in 2017. Working with breweries throughout the state, different water sources will be safely used to create a craft beer for the competition. Central, Southern and Northern Arizona will all have submissions, and will include public outreach events at each location. Be sure to watch the video at the bottom of the story for more details.

Other entities participating in the project are Tucson Water, the Pima County Water Reclamation Department, the University of Arizona WEST Center, AquaTecture, and Arizona WateReuse. These members came together after years of collaborating on technical committees and professional memberships discussing water quality and water sustainability.

Being a part of this innovative project is exciting for all of us here at Marana Water. The idea that treated water can be used in alternative ways, paints an optimistic outlook for the future of water reliability in Arizona. While this project is just a small pilot program, the results could be useful for large scale versions of this treatment type. There are public perception questions that are going to be addressed as part of the community outreach portion of the pilot program. Communicating how the water is treated, what safety measures are taken, and how the water is tested are all components of the project.

The application submission is just the first step. Now, the Southwest Water Campus members wait to see if their project is selected for a follow up interview. If chosen, the award will be given in November. Determining ways to incorporate potable reuse as a more common part of any community’s water portfolio is on the horizon.

Providing safe and reliable water is in the mission for Marana Water. Finding new paths toward meeting this mission is an exciting part of our work here. Keep an eye out to see if our project is chosen.

Summer Schooling, Part 10: Giving Back

My mentor took me under her wing while I was still completing my bachelor’s degree.  She provided me with my first internship which later turned into my first job after graduating. The time I spent working for her was about so much more than cutting my teeth as a landscape designer, it was always about becoming a great professional.  I learned many things from her, but one thing has always stuck out to me.  That is the importance of being involved and giving back to the community in which you live, work, and play. 

Being involved and giving back is very rewarding both professionally and personally.  Professionally you gain an insight into what is happening in your profession, in other offices and organizations and what new things people are trying.  You grow your professional contacts and learn about other fields that are related or may have an impact on what you are doing.  For me it was always about advancing the knowledge and awareness of landscape architecture.  It is a field that few know much about and you are not typically exposed to it as a profession until you are much older. 

Landscape architects design the spaces between buildings and roads.  Some places are designed to have a natural look, to appear as though the paths and trails have been there for hundreds of years.  This is the case of Central Park. Before Frederick Law Olmstead designed the park it was a swamp and dumping ground.  Now it is one of the most recognizable naturalistic public spaces in the world.  Other parks are designed for function much like Crossroads Park here in Marana.  It was designed as a place for active recreation with playgrounds and ball fields.  Trails, plazas, streetscapes, paths, and roadways are more things landscape architects design.  Landscape architects also do a lot of planning and it was how I was exposed to the Masters of Science in Planning program at the U of A which ultimately led to this internship.  

This internship has provided me with a great foray into the life of a civil servant.  I have always been on the fence as to whether or not I would go with a job in the private sector or public sector, but this opportunity has solidified my choice of public sector for the foreseeable future.  It will allow me to use my skills and passion in service to my community.  I consider myself fortunate to have been selected for this position and I hope that I will continue to be able to give back to the place where I live, work, and play.

Marana Water News: Repairing Those Pesky Leaks

Seeing a hydrant spraying into the air, or water running down the middle of a street are both gut-wrenching sights for any water customer or water professional. Unfortunately, these happen more frequently than we would like here at Marana Water. Repairing water main leaks is part of the work done by our distribution crew. Notification of the leak and a quick response are both important to reducing the water lost from the leak.

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Leak in a Marana neighborhood

There are several reasons a water line could break; time, weather, landscaping, poor soil conditions, or public damage. Major water leaks can develop over time from a small pinhole or crack. General wear and tear, shifting ground, and the age of the line can lead to corrosion of the pipe or loosening of the fittings.

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Similar to residential lines, Marana Water lines are not immune to the effects of weather or rogue tree roots in our lines. Seasonal weather changes bring the potential for cracks that lead to leaks. Poor soil conditions might not be the first thing thought of when determining a risk for leaks, but soils that are high in chloride content can lead to corrosion of pipes from the outside. This corrosion can cause a leak or potential water contamination. One of the world leaders in corrosion control, NACE International, has identified sandy soils as less corrosive than clay soils. For more information on NACE International, click here.

The final potential cause of a leak is damage. Large trucks that drive over or park on water meters and construction projects that fail to locate water lines prior to beginning work are two examples of external factors damaging the water system. When preparing for a construction project, contact Arizona 811 to be sure all utility lines are properly marked. Arizona 811 works with professional excavators and homeowners to meet Arizona's "call before you dig" statute requirements. Click here to learn more about Arizona 811. Be sure to bookmark their site for any future construction projects.

When a line does break, water will flow along the path of least resistance, which means that the leak might be farther up the line than where the water appears on the surface.

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Once a leak has been reported or identified, Marana Water gets to work. We too need to reach out to Arizona 811 to identify all utilities in the area of the leak. Gas, electric, sewer, cable and telephone lines may all be nearby the area of the leak, and we want to be cautious of damage to these lines while working to repair our mains. Once the utilities are identified, our operators get to work finding the source of the water leak. They search for the source of the water by turning valves, which help identify the segment of the line that is broken. Once the leak has been found, the repair process begins.

Depending on the extent of the leak, a basic wrap of the pipe will stop the flows. However, there are some leaks that require complete replacement of a segment of pipe. In the event of a much larger leak, the entire service line might need to be replaced. Our distribution team works to make these repairs with as little impact as possible on the water customers.

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A completed leak repair.

As can be expected, there could be a water outage while we work to repair a leak. Typically, the office or our field staff will inform those customers they might be out of water, and an estimated time the water service will return. Again, the operators do their best to act as quickly as possible, but the damaged lines need to be repaired safely and the water tested properly to meet safety requirements. Hopefully, the only impact a customer would see is a drop in water pressure.

There are many ways Marana Water works to attempt to prevent leaks. We monitor water pressure routinely, which helps to identify any potential leaks in the system. We also compare water that was billed to the customers versus water that was pumped from the wells. This is called “lost and unaccounted for water.” If there is a large, inexplicable discrepancy between these two values, it could be an indicator of a leak in the system.  Finally, we do our best to identify our lines on any construction project. By marking these lines, we are working to avoid any potential damage from construction projects.

Leaks are a part of life in the water industry, but here at Marana Water we do everything possible to mitigate issues related to leaks. The water lost during these incidents is a small percentage of what is required to run the entire system. It is important to note that the department “lost and unaccounted for water” amount is substantially lower than the amount the state allows. This is another example of Marana Water staff working hard each day to ensure water safety and reliability for our customers.

Should there be a leak, please call the office at (520) 382-2570, or the afterhours line at (520) 235-4381.

Marana Center is Blooming with new Premium Outlets

You can never step into the same river twice. Likewise, you can’t visit the same Premium Outlet Mall at Marana Center twice.  Every time you come back, you’ll find new and exciting options that pop into new storefronts like the flowers of a Texas ranger blooming after a summer rainstorm.

The changing face of the mall means that there’s something surprisingly thrilling about wandering through its courtyards. Since the mall opened last October, shoppers have enjoyed the plentiful options of Nike, Banana Republic, Under Armour, and dozens of others. Careful observers, however, will notice that interlopers have appeared, sprinkled among these founding stores. 

A Crocs store suddenly occupies the corridor between Converse and Helzberg Diamonds. Now you can bejewel both your sneakers and your sandals!

Saks 5th Avenue Off Fifth stands sentinel over the western wing of the mall, welcoming shoppers into their cavernous aisles filled with the attractive styles for men and women of all ages.

At the opposite end of this shopper’s paradise, the cheerful vibrato of a singing princess spills out of the new Disney Outlet’s doors, her trills echoing off the capacious Old Navy across the way.

Everywhere you look in the Outlet Mall, you’re guaranteed to find a novel shopping experience, unlike even your last trip to the same mall. Just in the past six months, the mall has added nine new retail and dining destinations:

·       Saks 5th Avenue Off Fifth

·       Coach

·       Journey’s

·       Crocs

·       Disney Outlet

·       Famous Wok

·       Vitamin World

·       VF outlet

·       Johnny Rockets

Add to these new options the dozens of stores that already catered to all your retail fantasies and you’ve got the kind of shopping paradise you’ve always dreamed of.

As if all this weren’t enough, the mall will soon be offering a free concert series that will run throughout the fall. With a diverse range of musical acts, all hailing from sunny Southern Arizona, this series is sure to provide an excellent soundtrack for your Saturday night shopping excursions. On September 1, groove out to the jams of Heart & Soul, a sweet and soulful duo with a sound reminiscent of Michael Jackson and Bruno Mars. On September 8, get into the mood of Oktoberfest with the Bouncing Czechs (Prague is near Germany, right?). Their accordion, clarinet, and tuba medley will keep your feet tapping all night long.

When your feet are tired from all that shopping and dancing, tuck into a scrumptious burger at the food court’s latest addition: Johnny Rockets. Their retro take on the classic American burger will leave you dreaming of the days of Frank Sinatra and Elvis.  Add to that their gingham table cloths and creamy milkshakes, and you’ll step back into the sunshine surprised that Eisenhower isn’t president anymore. 

Whatever your fancy, you’re bound to find it at the Premium Outlets at Marana Center. Only in Marana can you experience Disney magic, Coach styles, and Crocs comfort, all in the same place.  Discover all the latest when you Discover Marana.  

August and September Construction Schedule on Tangerine Road

Monday, August 22 - Thursday, August 25

Crews will be working at the Tangerine Road and Twin Peaks/ Dove Mountain intersection in preparation for the Tangerine Road widening. The traveling public can expect the following restrictions:

• The existing dedicated left turn lanes from Twin Peaks/ Dove Mountain to westbound and eastbound Tangerine Road will be closed; however, left hand turns will be permitted. Traffic control will be in place. Expect delays.
• Barricades will be removed and travel lanes will return to their typical configuration August 26, 2016.  

Monday, August 22 - Thursday, September 1

Crews will be working on Tangerine Road between Twin Peaks/Dover Mountain and Camino de Oeste to accommodate the upcoming traffic shift. The traveling public can expect the following restrictions:

• Temporary shoulder and lane restrictions will be in place.
• The speed limit will be 35 mph.
• Expect delays.

**No work will be conducted on September 5, 2016 as it is Labor Day.

Tuesday, September 6 - Thursday, September 8

Traffic will be shifted on Tangerine Road between Twin Peaks/Dove Mountain and Camino de Oeste to help facilitate the construction of the new alignment of Tangerine Road. This work will be done at night from 8 pm - 5 am.  The traveling public can expect the following restrictions:

• One lane of travel on Tangerine will be maintained in each direction.
• At the Tangerine Road and Dove Mountain intersection there will no longer be a dedicated right turn lane; however, right turns will be permitted.
• At Tangerine Road and Camino de Oeste there will no longer be a dedicated right turn lane; however, right turns will be permitted.
• The speed limit will be reduced to 25 mph on Tangerine Road just west of Twin Peaks/Dove Mountain to Camino de Oeste
• Temporary concrete barriers will be in place to delineate the work zone as well as temporary roadway striping.

The above traffic control is anticipated to be in place for the next several months.

New El Tour Kickoff: Pima County Loop the Loop

The Town of Marana will be participating in the kickoff to the 60-day 2016 El Tour Season:  Pima County El Tour Loop the Loop, scheduled for Saturday, September 17. The event will go from 6:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and will be held on The Loop. There will be a post-ride party after the event.

As part of this activity, riders can stop at a station in Marana, west of I-10 between Orange Grove and Ina Roads. At this location, Marana will host informational materials from the Marana Community Food Bank, Catalina Brewing Company, HMS Bikes, and Discover Marana, the Town’s tourism portal. Between now and ride day, the Town welcomes requests from other community partners to participate at this station.  At this location, participants will also be able to sign up for the 28-mile Marana Start of El Tour on November 19, 2016.

Loop the Loop is a FREE, easy, casual, fun ride open to individuals of all ages and abilities.  It’s a cycling celebration encouraging everyone to take up cycling as a means to better physical and mental health and to use The Loop to get from one end of the County to another. While on The Loop you can meet as many as 30 of the 50 non-profit organizations that will benefit from the 34th El Tour held on Saturday, November 19.

Starting and finishing anywhere on The Loop at any time during the festivities, cyclists are invited to ride any distance on the route at a leisurely pace along the multi-use paths of the Rillito, Santa Cruz, Pantano and CDO River Parks , and the Julian Wash Greenway, avoiding motor vehicle traffic on the streets.  There will be a post-ride party from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Trident Grill (2900 North Swan), El Tour’s official restaurant. There will be live music, prizes, drawings (including a Merckx San Remo Ultegra bike valued at $3999 provided by Tucson Endurance Performance Center), bicycle-valet parking, and taste the new El Tour Ice Cream created by The Screamery of Tucson. 

To earn entry into the prize drawings, cyclists will visit any or all of the 12 stations along The Loop to pick up tickets. (go to website for maps and location details here: http://www.perimeterbicycling.com/el-tour-de-tucson/loop-the-loop/ ) Turn in all your tickets for entry into the drawings beginning at 11:15 a.m. and continuing every 15 minutes until 2 p.m.  The Merckx bicycle will be drawn at 2:00 pm. You must be present to win!

Loop the Loop will provide the chance to learn what’s new on The Loop, find out about social events on and off the bike, visit with experts who can get you geared up and ready to ride, join a charity team, sign up for El Tour or Indoor El Tour and find out about the different group rides or training events that will prepare you for El Tour. Look for free swag and advice at the 12 stops along The Loop.

For more information please call 520-745-2033, email info@perimeterbicycling.com visit www.perimeterbicycling.com, follow on Twitter @tourdetucson or find us on Facebook ElTourLoopTheLoop/

Tucson Medical Center 34th El Tour de Tucson presented by Casino Del Sol, Arizona’s largest cycling event and one of the ten largest cycling events in the United States, is produced and directed by Perimeter Bicycling Association of America, Inc and is scheduled for November 19, 2016. Cyclists of all ages and abilities may ride 106, 76, 54, 37 or 28-miles or a Fun Ride of 11, 5 and ¼-miles. The 34th El Tour is projected to raise over $20 Million for over 50 non-profit agencies including Easter Seals – Blake Foundation and 50 supporting beneficiaries (including JDRF, Rotary – Polio Plus, Susan G. Komen for the Cure).  For a complete list of all non-profits and El Tour Information & Registration, go to perimeterbicycling.com.

The theme of this year’s El Tour is Come Together, Ride Now.  “El Tour gives all the cyclists, sponsors and charitable agencies a chance to celebrate together, to ride together,” said Richard DeBernardis, founder and president of Perimeter Bicycling. “No matter where we come from, what age, what ability, we like to have a good time and show our community how we come together year after year for a terrific event. It is about reaching across all the boundaries that separate us from each other. We come together, ride together, share together and succeed together.”

Marana Water News: Partnership - Marana Water & Development Services

Marana Water has two engineers on the team, the Water and Water Reclamation Engineer, and the Assistant Water Director. These two positions work across all the divisions of Marana Water, and particularly closely with the Development Services (DSC) team. Development of all types, residential, commercial, or industrial, often have multiple types of plan reviews, and our engineers work each day to ensure proper planning and design. Both work on a project from the design phase through completion of construction. This means that each day is unique and different.

Assistant Water Director, Scott Schladweiler, on a construction site on Tangerine Rd.

As would be expected, the two engineers on staff have engineering specialties in water and water reclamation. As the Assistant Water Director, Scott Schladweiler oversees the water and water reclamation operations as well as the engineering division. He manages projects with the Engineering sections of Development Services. Coordinating the locations of new water infrastructure in public rights of way, and ensuring there are no conflicts during construction of drainage ways or roadway projects are two ways Mr. Schladweiler and the Town Engineering Department work together.

Capital Improvement Projects on which our engineering team is currently working.

While the Assistant Director is working on the entirety of the Town, our Water and Water Reclamation Engineer, Jesse Schultz, works on the finer points of a project. He is reviewing plans for all projects checking they meet all standards and specifications set by Marana Water. He is also checking the types of materials used will meet the standards so infrastructure will last as long as expected. Mr. Schultz also coordinates the administrative portion of these construction projects. Working closely with the procurement and contacts team in the Finance department, he works on setting up initial meetings, preparing requests for information/proposal, and inspections of the site.

Water and Water Reclamation Engineer, Jesse Schultz

These two gentlemen provide their expertise on the water portion of Town projects and infrastructure. The Development Services team partners with Marana Water on these projects, and also takes care of the rest of the Town. Since most projects will begin with DSC, there are several services they provide for Marana Water. The permit staff collects certain fees on our behalf, provides copies and distribution of plans for review, collects comments from all reviewers, and acts as a primary contact for the customer. On Town projects, this incredible staff provides insight on rights of way, drainage engineering, grading, paving, traffic control, and much more.

Partnering with DSC gives all customers coming to build in the Town a streamlined and comprehensive experience. The services provided by the Development Services team help to keep Marana Water running smoothly. We are all working to provide the best customer experience possible.

Summer Schooling, Part 9: How Marana Manages Growth

Development in and around the Town of Marana is really starting to pick up momentum. Everywhere I go in the northwest I see signs from all of the big homebuilders advertising new homes.  For sale signs are coming down on commercial properties and we have very few empty stores.  It is a great sign that our economy is getting stronger and the area of town we live in is desirable.  It is a great problem to have. However, the question becomes how do we manage the growth in a manner that is beneficial to everyone?

“Getting to Yes” is a great book about the art of negotiating.  It is an easy read that is applicable to everything from big business deals to convincing your brother to help you move.  I am bringing it up because it is something that is not stressed in my planning program at the U of A, but my experience here at the Town has shown it to be very important.  This is particularly important when it comes to new development and making sure we get everything that we need to grow efficiently and making sure it falls in line with our values and long term goals.

The south end of Marana, the areas from Orange Grove up to Cortaro, is pretty much built out.  The real growth lies in the areas from Twin Peaks all the way up to Marana Road and our northern Town limit.  There is definitely a vision and several plans for these areas that include everything from business corridors to recreational opportunities.  The details for much of these planned areas have yet to be worked out and that is where the negotiations are really important to our future. 

The Town has an obligation to existing and future residents to ensure we continue to have excellent infrastructure.  It is something that everyone takes very seriously and quite honestly the quality of our infrastructure is a source of pride around here.   In order to make sure we are not left with roads that are falling apart from overuse or ball fields with dead and dying grass, there is a fiduciary responsibility to procure these items as growth demands.

We are in need of more infrastructure, water and sewer lines in particular.  We need another park with lighted fields to accommodate our growing youth and adult sports programs.  There are roads that need widening and more roads need to be constructed.  Just like a growing family that needs a larger house or car to accommodate a new baby, we need larger parks, roads, and infrastructure to accommodate new population.  When you buy a new house or car there tends to be a lot of negotiation.  The same is true with development, only the Town does it on our behalf and in line with the values and interests of the community.  Marana has been extremely successful so far, and will continue to build upon its successes as development and growth continue.   

Real Estate Daily News: Lennar Homes Joins Other Home Builders at Gladden Farms MPC

Article by Karen Schutte

Just as the Gladden Farms Elementary School opened for classes this week, Lennar Homes purchased 60 SFR lots at Homestead at Gladden Farms for $2.64 Million ($44,000 per lot) from Crown West Realty (Dean Wingert, member). Richmond American Homes and Lennar will both be building at this subdivision, called Homestead.

August 11 Flooding in Marana

Flooding in Marana has closed a number of roads and locations across the Town:

• Grier Road at Sandario Road
• I-10 off-ramp at Marana Exit
• Adonis Road
• N Interstate 10 Eastbound Frontage Road between Moore Road and Sandario Road
• San Lucas Park

Use the interactive map below to explore areas of flooding and potential detours.

Marana Water News: Partnership - Parks & Rec and Water

Here at Marana Water, we work closely with all departments across the Town. Departments such as Technology Services and Human Resources work closely on projects regarding the department internal workings, while the Parks and Recreation, Engineering, and Public Works departments more frequently collaborate with Marana Water on projects that are out in the community. This week, we are going to highlight the partnership between Marana Water and the Parks and Recreation department.

One of the Focus Areas of the Town's Strategic Plan III is Recreation. The Focus Area goal says the Town shall "provide diverse recreational opportunities that create economic benefits and a healthy lifestyle." The Parks and Recreation department works diligently toward this goal through a diverse program listing across all parks and facilities.

Marana Water provides the water service to six of the nine parks in the department's inventory. Irrigation, drinking fountains, restroom facilities, and special amenities are all powered by Marana Water in these six parks. Overall, Marana Water provides service to over 250 acres of parks.

In the Heritage Park is the new Marana Splash Pad now in it's second summer of operation. This facility provides fun water features for all ages. For more information, including hours of operation, click here.

There are a lot of activities happening at Ora Mae Harn District Park. This 35.16 acre park, in Northern Marana, is the home of the Marana pool. Water Aerobics, Aqua Zumba, and lap swim are all available at the pool. During June and July, the pool hosts Dive in Movies and the annual Splash N' Dash aquathon event. Information about pool operations can be found here.

The second district park in the Town is Crossroads at Silverbell District Park. This park is the home of the annual Star Spangled Spectacular as well as park activities throughout the year. Flag Football, Pee Wee Soccer, and the Game Day Cornhole Tournament are all held here in the fall. As would be expected, this 48.9 acre park is one of the largest water users in the Southern portion of the Town. Keeping a balance between water conservation and maintaining the high quality of the park facility is something our two departments are consistently aware of and working to achieve.

In addition to the summer Splash N' Dash, each year the Parks and Recreation department holds three run events, the Turkey Trot, the Egg Nog Jog, and the Mother's Day 5k. Each of these races are held in a park served by Marana Water. If participating this year, be sure to bring a water bottle and fill up at one of the Marana Water drinking fountains. This year, in addition to the race events, the Town is also hosting a leg of the El Tour de Tucson bicycle race. This 28-mile leg of the race will begin at Heritage Park with festivities beginning at noon. 

The Town's Parks and Recreation team does an incredible job of promoting a diverse set of programming. Marana Water is proud to help support all the activities throughout the Town each year. For more information about the Parks and Recreation department, please click here. If all these activities seem too good to resist, click here for registration details.

These are just a few examples of how Marana Water is working with Town departments on providing the excellent customer service our customers and residents have come to expect.

Independent voters can choose a primary ballot

Pima County Recorder F. Ann Rodriguez would like to remind Pima County voters who are not registered as one of the major political parties (otherwise known as Independent voters or Party Not Designated voters) that they can choose ONE political party ballot to vote for the Primary election. They can choose to vote a Democratic, Republican, or Green party ballot. 

Selecting a political party ballot will NOT change your Voter Registration to the political party ballot you requested. You will remain a Party Not Designated (PND) or Independent registered voter. If you would like to review your voter information including: Registration Details, Precinct/Districts, and Eligible Election Details you can access your voter information anytime at www.recorder.pima.gov under “Check your Registration”. 

The easiest way to order a Vote-by-Mail ballot is to call our office and speak directly to a staff member at (520) 740-4330. You simply need to let the operator know which political party ballot you would like to receive. To order your Vote-by-Mail ballot online, go to the Pima County Recorder’s web site at www.recorder.pima.gov and click on the link for “Early Ballot Request.” The link has a place for you to designate which political party ballot you would like to receive. 

Independent voters now constitute 31% of the registered voters in Pima County. Ms. Rodriguez encourages Independent Voters to exercise their right to vote. “Independent Voters have a very large influence in some contested primary races," states Ms. Rodriguez. 

For more information or to see a list of early voting sites in Pima County, visit the Recorder’s web site at www.recorder.pima.gov or call the office at (520) 724-4330.